At an Aug. 23 work session, Richardson ISD trustees voted 5-2 for the district to join an existing lawsuit as a plaintiff against Gov. Abbott, asserting the governor exceeded his authority under the Disaster Act and that executive order GA 38 unlawfully limits the rights of RISD as an employer and educational institution to establish necessary safety measures. The lawsuit, initially filed by La Joya ISD in the 353rd Judicial District Court, currently includes a number of other Texas school districts joining with LISD.
“This action is about local control,” RISD Board President Karen Clardy said. “Locally elected boards of trustees have rights and responsibilities under Texas law to make decisions for their local school districts. With this vote, RISD joins with other Texas ISDs in an effort to protect that local control so school districts can make local decisions based on local conditions to determine what is safe for students and staff in our local communities.”
Trustees Clardy, Eager, Harris, Rentería, and Timme voted in favor of the motion, while trustees Linn and Poteet voted against it.
